Wound Care: Wounds are lacerations, cuts, or punctures in the skin. Wounds can be superficial, deep, punctures, or pressure sores. The amount of pain, inflammation, and bleeding depend on the type of wound. Most superficial wounds can be treated at home. Deep wounds, or complicated wounds generally need medical care. Sutures, staples, or surgical glue for a wound depend on the depth of the wound and the time lapse between the injury and when medical care is sought.
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Cuts or Lacerations
Cuts and lacerations are both terms that apply to a tear in the skin, though a laceration implies a more jagged tear. These terms do not include abrasions where the skin is scraped away, or avulsions where the skin is torn from the flesh. Cuts and lacerations must be disinfected and sutured in more serious cases. Basic first aid may be all that is necessary for more minor wounds. Infection is the biggest medical concern when it comes to cuts or lacerations. Signs of infection include severe pain, draining pus, redness beyond the wound edges, fever and chills, and excessive wound swelling. -
Electric Shock
Electric shock may result in no injury, or severe injury, even death. Causes of electric shock to infants and children include chewing on electrical cords or playing with electrical outlets. Electric shock injuries to adults are generally work-related. Symptoms of electric shock include burns, shortness of breath, chest pain, and abdominal pain. Treatment of electric shock depends on the severity of the injury. -
Puncture Wound
A puncture wound is caused by an object piercing the skin such as nails, glass, pins, or other sharp objects. A puncture wound can become infected if not treated properly. A tetanus booster may be necessary for some puncture wounds. -
Removing Stitches
Stitches or sutures are methods used to close wounds, cuts, lacerations, or surgical procedures. There are two types of sutures, absorbable and nonabsorbable. Other methods of closing open wounds include surgical staples, skin closure tape, and adhesive agents. Sutures should be removed by a health care professional. Complications from sutures include keloids, wound infection or reopening, excessive scarring, and hypertrophic scars. -
Suture Care
Sutures, or stitches, are the most commonly used method to fix a cut or wound. Other methods are: skin adhesives or glue, Steri-Strips, butterfly bandages, or leaving skin openings alone in some cases. -
Tetanus
Tetanus is an infectious disease caused by contamination of wounds from the bacteria Clostridium tetani, or the spores they produce that live in the soil, and animal feces. Tetanus symptoms and signs include muscle cramps, lockjaw, weakness, and difficulty swallowing. A tetanus shot/vaccine is used to prevent tetanus. Tetanus treatment includes antibiotics, wound cleansing, pain medicine, sedatives to control muscle spasms, and IV fluids.
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Wound Care Topic Guide - Visuals
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Wound Care Topic Guide - Medications and Vitamins
Medications:
Benzocaine TopicalBenzocaine is a local anesthetic (numbing medication). It works by blocking nerve signals in your body...learn more »
Wound Care Topic Guide – Related Topics
Related Topics:
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Snakebite
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Pain After Surgery
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Animal Bites
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Hand Injuries
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Nail Injuries
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Thermal (Heat or Fire) Burns
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Ingrown Toenails
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Bee and Wasp Stings
Bees and Wasps are venomous, meaning they have poison stings that may cause pain, swelling, and allergic reactions. If a person with no allergic symptoms receiv...learn more »
